How to Protect Your Carpet Against Pet Accidents

Even the most loyal and disciplined pet can have a bad day. We all can. And on days when we’re not at our best, we may need to go to the bathroom unexpectedly. For most people, that’s not a problem. But when it happens to a pet, an unfortunate accident on the carpeting can be the result. Simply put: If you’ve got a pet, you’re going to have wet carpets now and then. The key is to deal with them efficiently and effectively.

After a pet urinates on your carpet, you’ll want to address the issue as soon as possible. Start by placing a thick layer of plain white paper towels or a cotton cloth over the accident. Then step onto the towels or cloth to help them absorb any wet urine; repeat this until you’re no longer pulling up more than a hint of moisture.

Once you’ve removed as much urine as possible, you’ll need to deal with what’s left. If you have any white vinegar on hand, you can create your own effective and color-safe cleaning solution; simply mix a half and half solution of vinegar and half water. Then slowly pour your cleaning solution into the carpet; keep in mind that the solution needs to penetrate at least as far into the carpet as the urine did.

After letting the solution work for a few moments, blot it our using another layer of plain paper towels or a cotton cloth. After a couple of hours, before the treated area dries, check to see if there is any residual urine odor. If so, you’ll want to add one more step to the cleaning: Apply a dusting of baking soda to the area, and then vacuum it away after 15 to 20 minutes.

If your cupboards are bare more often than not, a home remedy might not be your best option. Thankfully you’ll find that several store-bought remedies are also very effective. My personal favorite is the Original Stain & Odor Removerspray from Nature’s Miracle; this formula uses enzymes to break down stain- and odor-causing materials. I’ve had equally excellent results when cleaning both urine and the stains and odors left by poop and vomit.

Note: Be sure to test any cleaning solution on your carpet prior to using it in a prominent area. I once mistakenly purchased a different spray from Nature’s Miracle; I didn’t realize my error until I pulled a little color out of my carpet.

When you deal with pet accidents quickly, you’re almost certain to eliminate any stains and odors. But when your pet urinates, and you’re not able to discover it before it dries, treatment can become more complicated. That’s because urine can penetrate deep into the padding underneath the carpet, and even into the base underneath. In these cases, you may require the services of a professional cleaner, such as Chem-Dry.

Professionals that specialize in pet urine removal have more powerful cleaning solutions – and more powerful extraction equipment – than we do. So they can pull up more staining and odor-causing materials from deep under the carpet surface. In fact, Chem-Dry claims that their specialized treatment can remove 99.9% of urine odors (as well as 99.2% of the bacteria).

With any luck, you’ll be able to be able to handle any pet accidents on your own, without suffering any lingering stains or odors. If not, remember that you don’t have to live with the issue – professionals are always available to help.